Lavender is one of the most widely used herbs around the world due to its versatility. Lavender flowers have been used to treat digestive problems, insomnia, anxiety, and restlessness. Lavender was also used to treat and disinfect wounds before modern medicine and hospitals used lavender as an antiseptic and disinfectant to sterilize surfaces and equipment.
Today, lavender is commonly used for anxiety, depression, insomnia, digestive problems, headaches, skin problems and skin healing. In addition, lavender can be used to treat exhaustion, heat exposure, fevers, aches and pains, over-exertion, jet lag, rashes, sprains, sunburn, sunstroke and bruises. It can also be used as a disinfectant and insect repellant.
Lavender is one of the few essential oils that can be used in small amounts and applied directly to the skin; it can also be diluted in a carrier oil.
We all know lavender is calming and relaxing, but here are a few less common uses that could come in handy:
- Repel mosquitos. Using Lavender products or dabbing a drop of lavender essential oil onto your ankles could help you avoid irritating mosquito bites. If you do get bitten, it can also lessen the pain and soothe itching and inflammation. As a repellant, it doesn’t quite compare to DEET, but at least it is natural! Planting lavender in your garden can also help keep mosquitos and midges away.
- Sunburn. Lavender is great for healing so once the initial heat of sunburn has died down, spray with a lavender mist. If you’re lucky enough to have a bathtub here in Playa del Carmen, add 10 drops to a lukewarm bath to aid healing and calm the skin.
- Cuts, wounds and minor burns. After initial first aid, apply Lavender frequently to reduce pain, aid healing, prevent infection and stop the skin from scarring.
- Fevers & Headaches. Add a few drops of lavender essential oil to tepid water and use a washcloth to make a compress and apply to forehead and neck. Both children and adults can benefit from this.
- Healthy Hair. Eliminate itchiness, irritation or flakiness and promote growth by keeping the roots healthy. Add Lavender essential oil to a carrier oil like coconut or extra virgin olive oil and massage into the scalp once a week for an intense treatment. Add a few drops to your shampoo for maintenance.
Sara Jones
Spa, Wellness & Lifestyle Expert and Founder of Spa & Wellness Mexico magazine
